The NAW Agriculture and Rural Development Committee undertook an inquiry in to the future of organic farming and the support required for the sector. NAW ARD Review

They concluded that the sector should continue to be supported as an important aspect of sustainable agricultural policy - central to which was enhanced funding based on the introduction of on-going maintenance payments and a strategic approach to market development in partnership with the sector.

2003

New three-year contract for Organic Centre Wales.

Extends remit to public education, public procurement, policy and strategy development, thus providing support to the whole of the organic community in Wales. Soil Association leaves OCW partnership.

January 2004

Statutory Instrument concerning Maintenance Payments

Enables opening of the Organic Maintenance Scheme which provides five years of support for existing organic farmers.

1 March 2004

Organic Maintenance Scheme opens in Wales

Long-term organic farmers have access to support funds for the first time.

1 July 2004

Second Organic Action Plan for Wales launched

Advocates an increased land area target to be monitored against nine indicators of sustainable development, including financial viability of organic farms, public awareness of organic food, and the share of the UK market that is supplied from Wales

2004 [CAP reform]

Welsh Assembly Government decide on use of historical reference period to set Single Payment Scheme levels, and against use of the National Envelope.

Historic payment decision nominally supports family farms, but causes problems as most of Wales' organic farmers converted during the reference period (2000-2002). National Envelope decision removes major route to compensate organic farmers, particularly dairy farmers.

December 2006

Organic Farming Scheme closes for new applications.

Despite the closure, farmers are encouraged to continue with conversion in the knowledge that support will be available.

December 2006

Organic Feed rules change

Proportion of non-organic feed allowed for ruminants decreases.

2007 [New RDP]

New Rural Development Plan for Wales. The new phase of European funding for rural development in Wales 2007-2013 starts. Approval of the Wales plan is delayed so applications to the revised Organic Farming Scheme only open in November. The new scheme brings additional support for horticulture and arable crops and simpler administration. (Foot and Mouth outbreak in SE England.)

Despite the scheme being closed, there is a significant increase in land conversions during 2007. Farmers that started conversion in late 2006 or early 2007 struggle without payments during the winter of 2007/08.

2007

Revised Organic Farming Scheme

Applications for the Organic Farming Scheme become available in November 2007. Farmers must complete and application form and then claim for payment on their Single Application Form (SAF) in May 2008. Farmers that started conversion in early 2007 (before the SAF deadline of 15 May 2007) are offered two years' payments in the autumn '08.

January 2008

Organic Feed rules change

Organic ruminants may not be fed any non-organic feeds from 1 January 2008. For other species, a gradually declining maximum is permitted: 10% from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2009, 5% 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2011.

22 October 2008

Organic Farming Scheme temporarily closed

The revised Organic Farming Scheme is closed to new applications while administrative arrangements are put in place. From now on to be sure of support, farmers will need to receive confirmation of funding through the OFS prior to starting conversion.

1 January 2009

New EU Regulation relating to Organic Farming is in force

The European regulation governing organic food and farming is now EC 834/2007 and the detailed implementing rules are EC 889/2008 which must be read together. There has been an amendment relating to the compulsory use of the logo EC 967/2008.

2-20 March 2009

Organic Farming Scheme application window

Farmers that had started conversion or took on land before 22 October 2008 may apply for support to claim on the 2009 SAF. Farmers wishing to convert or take on land must complete and expression of interest and supply an outline conversion plan.

September 2009

Application window for the new Organic Farming Conversion Scheme (OFCS) opened

Farmers that had started conversion, or took on land, between 15 July and 2009 and 1 January 2010 could apply for support to claim on the 2010 SAF. 89 applied.

November 2010

Second and final application window for the OFCS opened

Farmers that had started conversion or took on land between 2 January 2010 and 1 January 2011 could apply for support to claim on the 2011 SAF. 36 farmers took up the offer. From this point forward organic farming will be supported through the new Glastir scheme.

July 2011

The Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes made an announcement on the OFCS

The OFCS will now run parallel to Glastir until the end of this Rural Development period. A further window for applications will open later in 2011.

October 2011

A further application window for the OFCS opened

Farmers that have started conversion or taken on land between 2 January 2011 and 1 January 2012 can apply for support to claim on the 2012 SAF.